Results 2,021-2,040 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, if Senator Mary Ann O'Brien proposes an amendment to the Order of Business and it is seconded, will it be accepted?

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: When I say "accepted", I mean will it be accepted by the Chair? I believe the Chair is obliged to accept a motion put by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien to extend the time – I suggest by one hour – and I would be pleased to second it.

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: No. I believe that it can be amended here and that we can extend this debate.

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: If the Seanad is in session, the Senator is entitled to put an amendment and if she does so there is nothing to prevent it under Standing Orders. I am pleased to second it.

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: I believe it can be accepted.

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: Will Senator Mary Ann O'Brien put the amendment?

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: I second the proposal that we extend the sitting for one hour to 9 p.m.

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: Is the Acting Chairman ruling it out?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I support amendment No. 8. There is merit in the amendment, and this has been acknowledged by the Fine Gael spokesperson also. Before I make my points, I endorse a comment by Senator Ó Domhnaill. I also listened to the Minister last night and I took some comfort from the fact that there is an agreement on maintenance with the European Union. Is that in writing? That question was asked,...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: What I was trying to elicit was whether there was an agreement on the prescription of the maintenance that will be required.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I was just trying to elicit that. I also wonder if the Minister could inform the House, in particular, if an agreement has already been reached with the EU.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: It would be useful to us.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: If the charge is not a revenue-raising measure, which I accept in respect of this amendment, the idea of a waiver would be consistent with the system that generally applies in local authorities with regard to waste collection, for example.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: We have done it locally. We exempted old age pensioners during the years in which I was a member of my council. The rate was 50% for old age pensioners at one stage. While €50 may not seem enormous if one is working, depending on one's outgoings, it may be for somebody who is to be hit with a medical card charge and a charge of €100 for his residence. It is the accumulation of...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am talking specifically about that but also saying that when one relates the charge to other household costs that will arise, it will-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: With the utmost respect to the Acting Chairman, the Minister told us previously in the House that there would be a household charge of €100 in the coming year.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: All I am saying is that where people are in genuine financial difficulty, there should be a waiver system in place. I support the amendment on the basis that if it is not accepted, people may decide, simply because they do not have the financial resources, to avoid paying the charge by not registering. This is less desirable than having a waiver scheme. I suggest that we consider allowing...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Jim Walsh: On the Order of Business yesterday a number of Members raised the issue of interruptions during the question and answer session on Tuesday evening with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, and I share those concerns. I have the transcript here. In my two-minute opportunity to put questions to the Minister, the Minister interrupted me on six occasions and there were six other interruptions,-----